Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) issued the following statement after last night’s health care vote in the Senate:

“Despite the political drama in the Senate, we must not lose sight of the fact that Obamacare premiums continue to rise and health insurance providers are dropping out of exchanges across the country, leaving many Americans with just one option. The House acted to replace Obamacare with a system that would lower premiums and give Americans access to a broad array of quality plans.

This problem is far too big to ignore. I urge Congress to continue working and find a path forward in order to provide Americans the relief they need and deserve.”

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Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) delivered remarks on the House floor in support of H.R. 3219, the Make America Secure Appropriations Act. H.R. 3219 includes the appropriations bills for defense, military construction and veterans, energy and water, and the legislative branch.

“Our greatest responsibility as Members of Congress is to provide the resources necessary to the men and women of our Armed Forces,” said Rep. Calvert.  “We are at crossroads.  Right now, our military continues to operate at a high-tempo to carry out the national security interests of the U.S.  However, in order to meet the next challenge – whatever that may be – we must invest now.”

Below are Rep. Calvert’s full remarks as prepared for delivery:

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3219, the Make America Secure Appropriations Act.

First, I would like to commend Chairman Frelinghuysen for his tireless work to report out all 12 appropriations bills from the Appropriations Committee.   He did it in record time and deserves a great deal of credit for getting us to this point today. 

The four bills included in H.R. 3219, reflect hours of hearings, staff work, Member input and bipartisan cooperation.  I would also like to express my gratitude to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the Defense; Energy and Water; Military Construction and Veterans Affairs; and Legislative Branch Subcommittees.

In particular, the Energy and Water division provides robust funding for water infrastructure -- over $67 million to create much needed water storage in the west. I want to thank Chairman Simpson and his staff for their hard work. 

As a Member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I would like to specially thank Chairwoman Kay Granger for her leadership and her unwavering support of our men and women in uniform. I would also be remiss if I did not mention the professional staff of the subcommittee who dedicated countless hours to craft a bill that meets the needs of the Department of Defense and reflects the will of the Congress. 

Our greatest responsibility as Members of Congress is to provide the resources necessary to the men and women of our Armed Forces.  This bill includes $584.2 billion in base defense funding and $73.9 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations.  It provides for a 2.4% military pay raise and additional funding to increase end strength. 

The bill provides robust funding for shipbuilding, aviation, combat vehicles and more.  It invests in our greatest asset – the men and women who wear the uniform – through increased funds for training, equipment and the best health care.

We are at crossroads.  Right now, our military continues to operate at a high-tempo to carry out the national security interests of the U.S.  However, in order to meet the next challenge – whatever that may be – we must invest now.  We know the situation we are in:

• National Security Advisor McMaster has stated that the U.S. is outranged and outgunned by potential adversaries.

• Out of 58 Brigade Combat Teams, the Army only has three that are combat ready.

• We have the lowest number of ships since World War I.  And while capability is important, the vast oceans of the world desperately need our presence.

• Only seven out of ten aircraft in the Air Force are ready to fly and the average age of aircraft across the Service is 27 years.  Airmen are flying the same planes as their grandfathers.

• Only 43 percent of the Marine Corps’ total aircraft inventory is currently considered flyable.  Our Marines deserve better.

Today we have a chance to correct the course we have been on for the last eight years.  The U.S. Constitution creates a government of the people to “establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.”  This bill fulfills the promise enshrined in our constitution to secure the blessings of liberty by providing for the defense of our nation. 

Thank you and yield back the balance of my time.

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Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) voted along with a bipartisan majority (419 to 3) of the House of Representatives to pass H.R. 3364, a package of comprehensive sanctions against Iran, Russia, and North Korea.

“Time and again Iran, Russia, and North Korea take actions that are a threat to America’s interests and those of our allies,” said Rep. Calvert. “The bipartisan sanctions packaged approved by the House today sends a strong message to these nations that there will be consequences for their actions. We simply cannot tolerate Iran, Russia, and North Korea taking continued provocative and dangerous measures.”

Sanctions Package Details

IRAN

The bill sanctions those involved in the Iranian regime’s ballistic missile program, its efforts to destabilize the region and threaten Israel, as well as its ongoing human rights abuses. Specifically, the bill calls for a strategy to deter conventional and asymmetric Iranian activities in the region, imposes sanctions on any individual that materially contributes to Iran’s ballistic missile, weapons of mass destruction programs, or international terrorism, or participates in the sale or transfer to Iran of military equipment, and imposes sanctions on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and affiliated foreign persons. The bill also calls for sanctions of individuals identified as responsible for extrajudicial killings, torture, or other gross violations of internationally recognized human rights.

RUSSIA

The bill strengthens sanctions in response to cyber-attacks and interference in Ukraine, empowers Congress to review sanctions relief, and works to strengthen transatlantic cooperation in countering Russian aggression. Specifically, the legislation provides for a mandated Congressional review if sanctions are relaxed, suspended, or terminated, as well as codified and strengthens existing sanctions contained in executive orders on Russia, including the impact on certain Russian energy projects and on debt financing in key economic sectors. New sanctions are placed on corrupt actors, those seeking to evade sanctions, involved in serious human rights abuses, supplying weapons to the Assad regime, conducting cyber activity on behalf of the Russian government, involved in corrupt privatization practices, or those doing business with Russian intelligence and defense sectors. In addition, the legislation allows new sanctions on mining, metals, and railway sectors, and authorizes assistance to central and eastern European countries vulnerable to Russian aggression and interference.

NORTH KOREA

The bill amends the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2016 to modify and increase the President’s authority to impose sanctions on persons in violation of certain U.N. Security Council resolutions regarding North Korea. Specifically, the bill expands sanctions to deter North Korea’s nuclear weapons programs, targets those individuals overseas who employ North Korean slave labor, cracks down on North Korean shipping and use of international ports, and requires the administration to determine whether North Korea is a state sponsor or terrorism.

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Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) voted along with a bipartisan majority (405 to 0) of the House of Representatives to approve H.R. 3218, comprehensive legislation to improve and extend GI Bill benefits granted to veterans. The bill contains the legislative text of H.R. 925, which was introduced by Rep. Calvert on February 7, 2017.

“Those who serve in our military make tremendous sacrifices to defend our country,” said Rep. Calvert. “One of our highest priorities in Congress must be taking care of our servicemembers during and after their time in our military. The legislation passed by the House today takes a number of important actions that ensure our soldiers receive the benefits they are entitled to. I would also like to thank my constituent, who is a Reservist at March Air Reserve Base, that brought this issue to my attention.”

“On behalf of the more than 45,000 members of the National Guard Association of the United States, we greatly appreciate Congressman Calvert’s tireless efforts to ensure the passage of H.R. 925,” said B.G. (Retired) J. Roy Robinson, President of the National Guard Association of the United States. “This vitally important legislation protects crucial benefits for the soldiers and airmen of the National Guard by clarifying the eligibility for a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) for reservists using the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill.”

The House also approved H.R. 282, the Military Residency Choice Act, which permits the spouse of a service member to elect to use the same residence as the service member for purposes of taxation and voting, regardless of the date on which the marriage of the spouse and the service member occurred.

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Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) offered an amendment during the Appropriations Committee markup of the Fiscal Year 2018 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill condemning recent actions by UNESCO to designate the Old City of Hebron and the Tomb of the Patriarchs as part of the Palestinian territory. The amendment was agreed to by the Committee by voice vote.

“The recent action by UNESCO on Hebron is yet another anti-Israel measure that denies facts and only continues an abhorrent pattern of behavior from this organization,” said Rep. Calvert. “Steps to refute Jewish connections to historical sites only move us further away from peaceful and sustainable solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Palestinian people and their allies in the Arab world simply cannot continue to say they support a two-state solution while simultaneously undercutting the process with punitive actions like this and expect the world to believe them.” 

UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, is a cultural agency within the United Nations.  In 2011, in compliance with statutory funding restrictions, the United States stopped funding UNESCO, due to the committee’s recognition of Palestine as a sovereign state and their admittance as a member-state. According to the State Department, while the United States is still on the 58-member UNESCO Executive Board, it no longer has voting rights in the UNESCO General Conference.

The Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron is one of the holiest sites for the Jewish people. The patriarchs and matriarchs of the Jewish people – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, and Leah – are buried at the site.

The amendment by Rep. Calvert added the following language to the report:

“The Committee notes with disappointment decision 41 COM 8C.1 adopted by UNESCO on July 7, 2017, which is one-sided, runs contrary to history, and is not conducive towards peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians.”

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Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) hailed the passage of H.R. 3218 by the House Veterans Affairs Committee. H.R. 3218, comprehensive legislation to improve and extend GI Bill benefits granted to veterans, contains the legislative text of H.R. 925, which was introduced by Rep. Calvert on February 7, 2017.

“Our veterans and reservists should have the peace-of-mind of knowing that they can obtain the benefits they have earned without complications,” said Rep. Calvert.  “The important reform included in this bill will provide a common sense fix to the Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits our reservists receive. I appreciate Chairman Phil Roe, M.D. for including my bill in this important legislation for our veterans.”

Under current regulations, an individual who is released from active duty status may begin receiving the Post-9/11 GI Bill Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) on the first day of the month following the date the individual is discharged.  In addition, an individual who is released from active duty status may begin receiving their tuition and fees benefit on the first day of the enrollment period following the date the individual is discharged and begin receiving their books and supplies stipend on the first day of the month following the date the individual is discharged. 

However, there are cases in which a Guard or reservist’s required monthly active duty would disqualify those individuals for the MHA benefit.  Many reservists are required to routinely perform their jobs in a Title 10 status due to their specific job requirements and functions.  These commonly include aircrew, intelligence personnel, and UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) and Remote Piloted Aircraft operators.  While not in a drill status, or if in a drill status under Title 38, an individual is entitled to their MHA and book allowance.  When in a drill status under Title 10, the individual is entitled to the housing allowance, but only for the first portion of the month up to when they entered active duty under Title 10. Therefore, if an individual goes on active duty on the first day of the month for three days, the individual does not receive any housing, or book allowance payments for the rest of that entire month.  Just one day of Title 10 service can result in forfeiture of MHA and book allowance for all or most of the month. 

In order to maintain a Combat Mission Readiness state and proficiency at their job, some have to commit to a minimum of four training days a month in a Title 10 status.  Many Guard and Reservists using their GI Bill benefits will be reluctant to volunteer for three to four day missions to ferry troops, equipment, and supplies into an Area of Responsibility knowing they will lose all or a portion of that month’s MHA.  Many reservists are full-time students and rely on their MHA to pay rent, but as a result of the current rules they are denied their full MHA causing many members to incur thousands of dollars of debt.  This is compounded by the fact that members of the reserve component are used more frequently due to the increased tempo of operations around the world. 

The legislation introduced by Rep. Calvert essentially prorates the MHA for the portion of the month the service member is not on active duty.  The bill amends Title 38, United States Code, to clarify the eligibility for monthly stipends paid under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program for certain members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces.  By easing restrictions on volunteers, it will increase the number of volunteers and the frequency of volunteerism while limiting the potential for personnel financial issues to arise.  Most importantly, this bill seeks to enhance reserve components’ military readiness during high tempo operations.

“I would also like to thank my constituent, who is a Reservist at March Air Reserve Base, that brought this issue to my attention.  This small, common-sense fix will impact countless reservists across the country and again I thank the Chairman, and his staff, for including this vital language in the larger veterans package,” said Rep. Calvert.

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Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) praised the Homeland Security Appropriations bill inclusion of report language addressing the rise in visa fraud for the purpose of having children in the United States. The growth of so-called birth tourism has resulted in a number of raids and arrests throughout southern California over the past few years. More recently, the city of Eastvale has reached out to Rep. Calvert about the growth of suspected birthing homes in the city.

“While we continue to welcome people to our country through legal means, it’s critical that we crack down on individuals who fraudulently come to America for the sole purpose of obtaining U.S. citizenship for their child,” said Rep. Calvert. “It is against the law to apply for a visa under false pretenses, yet we continue to see indications that foreign nationals are exploiting our immigration system. The growth of birthing homes in Eastvale is a concern for many of its residents.  I was pleased to work with the Chairman on this language and I’m certain that it will draw the attention of Homeland Security officials to this problem.”

According to Eastvale city staff, there are 19 single family homes (12 on the same street) and 22 nearby apartment units which have been reported as suspected maternity homes reported. Earlier this year, the city established an ad hoc committee to explore potential solutions to the issue. 

The language in the fiscal year 2018 Homeland Security Appropriations bill states:

The Committee is concerned by a reported increase in individuals fraudulently entering the United States on non-immigrant visas in order to give birth in this country. While individuals are welcome to come to the U.S. on a tourist or other visa, it is against the law to apply for admission under false pretenses. The Committee is also concerned with reports that different ports of entry may not be consistently applying CBP guidance in this area, allowing individuals seeking to exploit the visa process to direct pregnant women to specific ports of entry with more lenient admission practices. The Committee directs CBP to investigate these fraud allegations and take steps to ensure that admission criteria are applied uniformly across ports of entry.

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Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) voted along with a majority of the Appropriations Committee to advance the Fiscal Year 2018 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations bill. 

“The first step in fixing our broken immigration system has to be securing our borders and restoring the rule of law,” said Rep. Calvert. “The DHS funding bill will increase the security of our borders by expanding and improving on the physical barriers we currently have in place along the southern border.  The bill also provides the resources necessary to hire additional Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to better enforce our visa and other immigration laws. I strongly support the boost in funding to increase the capacity of the E-Verify system in preparation for a potential transition to mandatory use in the future. I authored the creation of E-Verify to ensure American jobs went to people who are legally in our country and I continue to believe its use should be mandatory.”

Highlights of the Fiscal Year 2018 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill:

(Provided by the House Appropriations Committee)

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) – The bill contains $13.8 billion in discretionary appropriations for CBP – an increase of $1.6 billion above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level.

These resources ensure our borders are protected by putting boots on the ground, improving infrastructure and technology, and helping to stem the flow of illegal goods both into and out of the country. Within this total, the legislation includes:

• $1.6 billion for physical barrier construction along the Southern border – including bollards and levee improvements – meeting the full White House request;
• $100 million to hire 500 new Border Patrol agents;
• $131 million for new border technology;
• $106 million for new aircraft and sensors; and
• $109 million for new, non-intrusive inspection equipment.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – The bill provides $7 billion for ICE –$619.7 million above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. Within this total, the legislation includes:

• $185.6 million to hire 1,000 additional law enforcement officers and 606 support staff;
• $2 billion – an increase of $30 million above the requested level – for domestic and international investigations programs, including efforts to combat human trafficking, child exploitation, cybercrime, visa screening, and drug smuggling;

• $4.4 billion for detention and removal programs, including:
  • 44,000 detention beds, an increase 4,676 beds over fiscal year 2017;
  • 129 Fugitive Operations teams; and
  • Criminal Alien Program operations, including the addition of 26 new communities to the 287(g) program, which partners with local law enforcement to process, arrest, and book illegal immigrants into state or local detention facilities.

Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) – The legislation does not fund most CIS activities, as these are funded outside the appropriations process through the collection of fees However, the bill does contain $131 million for E-Verify, which is funded within CIS and helps companies ensure their employees may legally work in the United States.

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Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) voted along with a majority (230 to 190) of the House of Representatives to approve H.R. 23, the GROW Act. The bill contains a number of provisions aimed at improving California’s water reliability.

“The GROW Act builds upon the bipartisan water bill signed into law last year by providing even more long-term water solutions for California,” said Rep. Calvert. “Specifically, it expedites the consideration of feasibility studies for water storage projects that have languished for periods of time that are longer than it took to actually build the Hoover Dam. The GROW Act also includes provisions that are critical to Bay Delta operations and help improve water reliability. California can become drought proof if we build the storage and conveyance infrastructure necessary to collect and move the water we receive in wet years, so that we can utilize it during dry years. I’m a cosponsor of the GROW Act because it moves us closer in that direction.”

The Gaining Responsibility on Water (GROW) Act Summary:

• Bay-Delta Improvements: Restores water deliveries to the Central Valley communities by codifying the Bay-Delta Accord. Affirms that if the State Water Project and the Central Valley Project are operated consistent with the Bay-Delta Accord, then they are in compliance with the requirements of the Endangered Species Act.

• Water Reliability: Updates the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA) to ensure water resources are reliable, predictable, and available to fulfill supply promises.

• Expanding Infrastructure: Enacts “one-stop-shop” permitting reforms aimed at building infrastructure to capture more water.

• Expanding Storage: Requires the federal government to expedite and complete consideration of feasibility studies for water storage projects that have been languishing in bureaucratic purgatory for over ten years.

• Water Rights Protection: Prevents federal agencies from requiring certain entities to relinquish their water rights to the United States in order to use public lands.

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Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) released the Fiscal Year 2018 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill.  Rep. Calvert serves as the Chairman of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee. 

“The agencies funded in the Interior and Environment Appropriations bill do important work protecting public lands, the air we breathe and the water we drink,” said Rep. Calvert. “Our Subcommittee prioritized proven programs that have a meaningful impact to achieve these goals while also ensuring our economy can continue to grow. I’m particularly pleased that we were able to provide significant funding for our increasingly popular National Parks, the Clean Diesel program, and ensure that the development of the USGS earthquake early warning system will continue.”

Fiscal Year 2018 Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill Highlights:
(Provided by the House Appropriations Committee)

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) – The bill includes $1 billion for the USGS, $46 million below the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. Funding is targeted to programs dealing with natural hazards, streamgages, the groundwater monitoring network, and mapping activities. The bill includes $10.2 million for an earthquake early warning system to help save lives during natural disasters, and provides the $8.3 million increase necessary for support of “Landsat 9” – a satellite program that provides land use measurements that are important to local communities for agriculture, forestry, energy and water resource decisions. 

Wildland Firefighting and Prevention – In total, the bill funds wildland firefighting and prevention programs at $3.4 billion – fully funding the 10-year average for wildland fire suppression costs for both the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service. This is $334 million below the fiscal year 2017 level. Most of this reduction is the result of the transfer of the Forest Service’s hazardous fuels reduction program to its National Forest System, as requested by the Administration. The legislation also includes $575 million for hazardous fuels management, which is $5 million above the fiscal year 2017 level.

Federal Payments to Local Communities – The bill provides $465 million for the “Payments In Lieu of Taxes” (PILT) program. PILT provides funds for local governments in 49 states to help offset losses in property taxes due to nontaxable federal lands within their counties. Without congressional action, many rural communities would face huge budget shortfalls impacting public safety, education, and other local government responsibilities. 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – The bill funds the EPA at $7.5 billion, a reduction of $528 million below the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $1.9 billion above the Administration’s request. 

The legislation supports the President’s proposal to reshape the agency’s workforce by providing resources requested to offer buyouts and voluntary separation agreements to employees.

This bill also reflects the Administration’s goal to rein in outdated, unnecessary and potentially harmful regulations at the EPA. For example, it includes language authorizing the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Secretary of the Army to withdraw the Waters of the United States rule.

Native American Programs – The Bureaus of Indian Affairs and Education are funded at $2.9 billion – an increase of $10 million above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. This includes necessary increases for schools, law enforcement, road maintenance, economic development, realty, and water settlements.

Indian Health Care Improvement Fund - The Indian Health Care Improvement Fund is funded at $130 million to address the shortfalls in the allocations of base funding across the Indian Health Service system. The funding is particularly important to rural California tribes.  

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) –The bill contains $1.2 billion for the BLM, a decrease of $46 million below the fiscal year 2017 enacted level, including a $20 million decrease for federal land acquisition.

The bill provides $68.9 million, which is equal to the fiscal year 2017 level, for on-the-ground sage grouse conservation to protect the species and to preserve federal lands for public and private uses, such as energy development, ranching, recreation, and military training.

National Park Service (NPS) – The legislation contains $2.9 billion for the NPS, a decrease of $64 million below the fiscal year 2017 level. Much of the reduction is in land acquisition activities. Within the total, the bill retains $55 million targeted to park operations and maintenance to help reduce the deferred maintenance backlog.

U.S. Forest Service – The bill includes $5.2 billion for the Forest Service. Approximately half of this funding – $2.5 billion – is targeted to wildland fire prevention and suppression. The bill also includes a provision prohibiting the Forest Service or BLM from issuing new closures of public lands to hunting and recreational shooting, except in the case of public safety.

For the subcommittee draft text of the legislation, please visit:http://docs.house.gov/meetings/AP/AP06/20170712/106242/BILLS-115HR-SC-AP-FY2018-Interior-FY2018InteriorAppropriationsBill-SubcommitteeDraft.pdf 

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